British Army comes to Liverpool ONE to give youngsters a taste of life in the forces

The Army invited members of the public invited to take part in a number of physical and mental challenges at Liverpool One. Lizzie Grice 20,a medical student from Kensington, taking on the challenging BATAK wall

British soldiers dared Liverpudlians to sample a small taste of life in the forces.

Soldiers from the Regular Army and Army Reserve were in the city this weekend inviting members of the public to try a series of mental and physical challenges.

They included testing out new virtual reality headsets which show the wearer what it is like to do a parachute jump, or be involved in urban combat training and a tank assault.

The Army invited members of the public invited to take part in a number of physical and mental challenges at Liverpool One. Bradley Ashton 14,from Anfield,trying out the virtual technology Gear VR headset

There was also a river crossing challenge and a BATAK wall which tests reactions, hand-eye co-ordination and stamina.

Hundreds got stuck in with the challenges over Saturday and Sunday next to John Lewis in Liverpool ONE .

It was part of the Army’s new recruitment campaign targeting 16 to 24-year-olds, uses the strapline: “Don’t join the Army. Don’t become a better you.”

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Gunner Hollie Keating, from Liverpool, said she has found new a purpose in life since joining the Army.

She said: “During my time in the Army I have spent time in Kenya and have been given the opportunity to do some amazing things, such as playing football for my Corps.

“Being in the Army has helped me to become a better version of myself - I’m incredibly proud to be doing something that challenges me, makes me strive to reach my potential and really helps to make a difference.”

The Army invited members of the public invited to take part in a number of physical and mental challenges at Liverpool One. Gunner Hollie Keating,aged 23 from Aintree,who is in the Royal Artillery

General Chris Tickell, in charge of recruitment, said: “The Army should be one of the top career choices for 16 to 24-year-olds who want to better themselves, make their family proud and do something that matters.

“We have deliberately designed a bold, new recruitment campaign that uses reverse psychology and a thought-provoking approach.”